33 people indicted in heroin distribution ring

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Thirty-three people have been indicted on charges connected to a heroin distribution ring that operated in northeastern Ohio.

Officials say the heroin was being brought to Ohio from Chicago and some of the suspects delivered drug proceeds back to that city.

Investigator say 15 of the suspects were charged Friday in federal court in Cleveland and the remaining 18 in state court in Portage County, south of Cleveland.

The federal charges included conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm while dealing drugs and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. One of the alleged ringleaders lived in the Cleveland suburb of Streetsboro and another in Akron.

Charges for the state court suspects included trafficking in heroin, cocaine and marijuana and illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.